Haus Yuriyal is a collective of Papua New Guinean men who gather to work in a circular house traditional to the Jiwaka region of PNG’s Highlands. Its members originate from a number of locales, including Simbu, Jiwaka and Southern Highlands provinces, and many share a genealogical connection to the Yuri tribe from the mountainous areas of Simbu. The group began as a coming together of men keen to learn and share cultural practices. A Haus created by family members for Brisbane-based artist Yuriyal E Bridgeman is the collective’s regular meeting place. In recent years, Haus Yuriyal has expanded to include Yuri women.

The vibrant fighting-shield designs customarily created by Yuri men within the Hausman (men’s house) provide the inspiration for Haus Yuriyal, who develop dazzling, individualised paintings with enamel, earthen pigments, paper, plywood and wool. For the Asia Pacific Triennial, Haus Yuriyal present a grand display of their cultural expression and unity, encompassing a functional garden, boldly decorated architectural structures, kuman (shield) paintings, carved tree-fern sculptures, textiles and videos. Bridgeman’s mother Veronica Gikope, Alison Wel and the wider Yuri tribe have actively contributed to this journey, collecting materials, helping to weave the pit pit (cane) blinds lining the Kamkau Ike (grandstand) and piksahaus (picture house), providing food, cooking for the men, knotting bilum (string bags) and looking after families while members of Haus Yuriyal are away.